A first repatriation flight carrying French citizens landed at Roissy Charles-de-Gaulle airport in Paris on Thursday evening, October 12, 2023, from Israel, which has been affected by the bloody offensive of the Palestinian Islamist movement Hamas, according to an airport source.
The first “special flight”, which departed from Tel Aviv, arrived shortly after 9 pm with 377 French passengers on board, including elderly and “vulnerable” individuals, as stated by the source.
Medical teams are present at Terminal 2E to offer assistance to all repatriated individuals.
They were welcomed at the aircraft exit by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Catherine Colonna, and the Minister of Transport, Clément Beaune.
For the French Foreign Minister, “it was important for us to show solidarity with our compatriots in this ordeal.” Mrs. Colonna also stated that more flights were scheduled for Friday, Saturday, and Sunday.
The Minister also announced that she will visit Israel on Sunday at the request of President Emmanuel Macron.
Commercial Air France flights from Tel Aviv, which have been suspended since October 7, will resume “if the security situation allows,” according to the Minister of Transport.
More than 1,200 people have been killed in Israel, mostly civilians, and dozens have been abducted, according to the Israeli army.
The massive reprisals in Gaza have resulted in over 1,300 deaths, mostly civilians, according to Palestinian authorities, and have caused extensive destruction.
During a televised address on Thursday evening, Emmanuel Macron called on his fellow citizens to be “united,” stating that the number of French nationals killed during Hamas’ offensive has risen to 13, with 17 French citizens reported missing.
